This week post on cybersecurity was a tough topic for me because I did not grow up in the era of internet or technology, so cyber security, cyber safety or digital citizenship was not something I knew while growing up. I am a Gen X and the first people to truly grow up with the internet were the Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996. Technology was not a thing at all when I was growing up. Throughout my elementary, high school, and undergraduate years, I never used a computer or used any technology gadget because it was just coming around then. I finished high school in 1995 and according to my research “In 1990, less than 1% of the population of the world had access to the internet regularly, and in the year 2000 it went up to almost 50% of the population (Roser). I was the first in my group of friends to have an email address and the first in my family. I had no laptop or desktop at home to check or send emails, no access to the internet so we used to go to something called “Cyber Cafe”. Cyber Cafe is somewhere we pay to use their desktop to check and send emails (using a LAN connection). A lot of Gen Z youngsters, I am sure, will not understand what a cybercafé is. Even checking your email or completing an application on a portal while lounging on the couch in your living room on your mobile device would seem strange, let alone paying for a set time to access an internet-enabled desktop in an extremely crowded and mostly air-constrained environment (though I have to admit, typing it out makes me laugh a little bit, so I can’t blame them).
Like any other technological advancement in human history, the internet’s early years were extremely restricted, with access being restricted to the wealthy or those who worked in certain places. However, as the public’s use of the internet grew, so did the demand, and cyber cafés tapped into this market by offering the public access to reasonably priced internet for a set fee, typically included in time packages. The services are so expensive so we pay for like 15minutes and the 15minutes goes by so fast because the internet connection is slow and it may even disconnect in between your use so you have to be quick to make sure you log out before your time is up.
All I can say about using this internet service at Cafe’s is that they give you passcode to log in into the system and advise you to make sure to log out outside. Notice and warning are placed on the desk but they are meant for people who may want use their system to commit crimes but not to educate us on cyber safety.
The picture below shows one of the Cyber cafe with the Notice.
@dropofnostalgia What CyberCafe Was Like In 1996#nostalgia #90s #cybercafe #computers #90stech #fyp #fypツ
Hi Ola!
Your post really brought back memories of the past- they’re classic! Technology has advanced so rapidly that the digital landscape during our upbringing was vastly different. It’s fascinating to reflect on how access to the internet and the use of technology has evolved over the years. I remember the excitement of having an email address and of visiting a cyber café to go online. Your journey highlights the significant shifts in how we interact with technology, and it’s interesting to see how younger generations perceive these experiences. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Thanks Rowena for the kind comments.
This week post brought back memories as well and it took me days before I made the decision its ok to share a bit of my past.
Hi Ola, I really enjoyed reading your post. While I didn’t visit the cyber cafe myself (I was born in the late 80s), I remember my parents doing so when I was a young child. What a time to be alive! Your blog really brings back memories for me of things from my childhood. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Sabrina ,
Though I struggled writing the post this week but your comment made it worth the decision to post a bit about my past.